First session
Having just watched the proceedings of the first session of the national assembly as a veteran citizen, many hopes and dreams arise, as with millions of my fellow countrymen and women, on the expected changes we were starved of during the preceding decades.
How to play the game when the players [politicians] also umpire the games, leaving the citizens in the no-man's land. Change of heart has to be imbibed internally first, before offering the new wares and goodies to the 140m patrons.
The new elected regime has three basic priorities: (a) Make up for the last time; (b) Create a congenial environment during the current life of parliament: and, (c) Create a national consensus on the future national goals. We are beating about the bush; and we have to get out of the vicious circle (of unacceptable political culture) without external pressures.
The initial motivations are cheery enough; but the proof of the pudding lies in the eating. You can't have the cake and eat it too. Here, in Dhaka, the winner takes it all. The political parties have to respect one deterrent; accept the rejection by the electorate.
How to keep the young and new generations neutral in their outlook of national goals -- regardless of the players elected to run the nation? The Americans have shown the way: try changes (in approach). How to change the mindset of the public figures? Not through sermonizing (our weakness), but through results. Act, but no acting please! Real politics is not a yatra show.
The AL-led grand alliance has three to six months to prove its fidelity (BB's dream). We just cannot afford the continuation of political systems losses. The current and future missions are going to be tough for the errant political parties -- to be in power is not enough. Deliver!
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